Lawmakers vote to bar rapists from alimony

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- People convicted of spousal rape will no longer be able to collect alimony if a bill passed by the state Assembly becomes law.

AB1522 was passed unanimously with 69 votes Thursday. It would prohibit judges from awarding alimony, attorney's fees or insurance benefits to people convicted of violent sexual felonies against their spouses.

Democratic Assemblywoman Toni Atkins of San Diego said the bill was necessary to close a loophole that forces victims to pay their abusers.

The bill is a response to the case of a San Diego-area woman who accused her husband of raping her and was forced to pay his alimony and attorney's fees before he was convicted.

Current law prevents spouses convicted of attempted spousal murder from taking their intended victim's assets.